Claim profile
1900–1999

The 20th century

Whose names filled the books of the 20th century — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in Chinese books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians275
  2. 2Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers60
  3. 3Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians58
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians55
  5. 5Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians40
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians34
  7. 7Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians31
  8. 8Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  9. 9ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics12
  10. 10Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors10
  11. 11Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.6
  12. 12Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers5.9
  13. 13Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.4
  14. 14Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians5.2
  15. 15Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.0
  16. 16LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.7
  17. 17Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers4.6
  18. 18Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.4
  19. 19GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers3.4
  20. 20Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics2.8
  21. 21Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers2.3
  22. 22Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.3
  23. 23Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.0
  24. 24WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists1.9
  25. 25Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  26. 26Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.6
  27. 27Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.4
  28. 28Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.4
  29. 29Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.3
  30. 30Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians1.3
  31. 31Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.2
  32. 32Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.2
  33. 33Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.2
  34. 34Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  35. 35Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  36. 36Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  37. 37Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  38. 38Wu QiWu Qi440 BC–381 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.0
  39. 39Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers1.0
  40. 40Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  41. 41LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.0
  42. 42Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.96
  43. 43Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.93
  44. 44MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.86
  45. 45Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.83
  46. 46Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  47. 47Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.73
  48. 48Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.69
  49. 49Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.66
  50. 50Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.64
  51. 51Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.59
  52. 52Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.58
  53. 53Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.57
  54. 54Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.56
  55. 55CSChen Shou233–297 · 3rd century · Writers0.52
  56. 56Zhang YimouZhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors0.50
  57. 57Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.49
  58. 58Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.49
  59. 59Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.49
  60. 60Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.45
  61. 61Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.43
  62. 62Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.42
  63. 63Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.41
  64. 64Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.41
  65. 65KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.39
  66. 66Zhu RongjiZhu Rongjiborn 1928 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.39
  67. 67Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.38
  68. 68Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  69. 69Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.37
  70. 70Shi KefaShi Kefa1601–1645 · 17th century · Politicians0.37
  71. 71Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.34
  72. 72DXDeng Xi545 BC–501 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.31
  73. 73Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.30
  74. 74Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.28
  75. 75Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.28
  76. 76ShitaoShitao1642–1707 · 17th century · Artists0.28
  77. 77Liu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo1955–2017 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.27
  78. 78Bada ShanrenBada Shanren1626–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.27
  79. 79Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.27
  80. 80Pu SonglingPu Songling1640–1715 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.25
  81. 81Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.24
  82. 82Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.23
  83. 83Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.23
  84. 84Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  85. 85He ZhizhangHe Zhizhang659–744 · 7th century · Writers0.22
  86. 86Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  87. 87Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.21
  88. 88Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.21
  89. 89Hui ShiHui Shi370 BC–310 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.20
  90. 90Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.19
  91. 91Yu QianYu Qian1398–1457 · 15th century · Writers0.19
  92. 92Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.18
  93. 93Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.18
  94. 94Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.18
  95. 95Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.16
  96. 96Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.16
  97. 97Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.15
  98. 98Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.15
  99. 99Liu YuxiLiu Yuxi772–842 · 9th century · Writers0.14
  100. 100Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.14

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 20th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇮🇳 India🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇳 China🇨🇦 Canada🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllActorsPoliticiansMusiciansWritersDirectorsHistorical FiguresAcademicsFootballersScientistsArtists
  1. 1RajneeshRajneesh1931–1990 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  2. 2Arundhati RoyArundhati Royborn 1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  3. 3Jaggi VasudevJaggi Vasudevborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  4. 4A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaA. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada1896–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  5. 5Sarojini NaiduSarojini Naidu1879–1949 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  6. 6Deepak ChopraDeepak Chopraborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  7. 7Nana PatekarNana Patekarborn 1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  8. 8PremchandPremchand1880–1936 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  9. 9Amrita PritamAmrita Pritam1919–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  10. 10GulzarGulzarborn 1933 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  11. 11R. K. NarayanR. K. Narayan1906–2001 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers7 decades
  12. 12Shakuntala DeviShakuntala Devi1929–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  13. 13C. N. AnnaduraiC. N. Annadurai1909–1969 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  14. 14Javed AkhtarJaved Akhtarborn 1945 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  15. 15Sudha MurthySudha Murthyborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  16. 16Amitav GhoshAmitav Ghoshborn 1956 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  17. 17Ruskin BondRuskin Bondborn 1934 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  18. 18Harivansh Rai BachchanHarivansh Rai Bachchan1907–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  19. 19Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam1899–1976 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  20. 20Girish KarnadGirish Karnad1938–2019 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  21. 21Vikram SethVikram Sethborn 1952 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  22. 22Khushwant SinghKhushwant Singh1915–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  23. 23B. K. S. IyengarB. K. S. Iyengar1918–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  24. 24Saroj KhanSaroj Khan1948–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  25. 25ADAnita Desaiborn 1937 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  26. 26Ahmed DeedatAhmed Deedat1918–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  27. 27Subramanya BharathiSubramanya Bharathi1882–1921 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  28. 28Honey IraniHoney Iraniborn 1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  29. 29Mehmood AliMehmood Ali1932–2004 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  30. 30Saadat Hasan MantoSaadat Hasan Manto1912–1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  31. 31KSKamala Surayya1934–2009 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  32. 32Sarat Chandra ChattopadhyaySarat Chandra Chattopadhyay1876–1938 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  33. 33Romila ThaparRomila Thaparborn 1931 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  34. 34S. N. GoenkaS. N. Goenka1924–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Mulk Raj AnandMulk Raj Anand1905–2004 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Mahasweta DeviMahasweta Devi1926–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  37. 37ADAnthony de Mello1931–1987 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Abdul Sattar EdhiAbdul Sattar Edhi1928–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Inayat KhanInayat Khan1882–1927 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  40. 40Kuvempu,full Name in kannada ಕುವೆಂಪು(ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಪುಟ್ಟಪ್ಪ),Kuvempu,full Name in kannada ಕುವೆಂಪು(ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಪುಟ್ಟಪ್ಪ),1904–1994 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  41. 41Nambi NarayananNambi Narayananborn 1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Salim KhanSalim Khanborn 1935 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  43. 43Mrinalini SarabhaiMrinalini Sarabhai1918–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  44. 44Mahadevi VarmaMahadevi Varma1907–1987 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Nayantara SahgalNayantara Sahgalborn 1927 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  46. 46Ramachandra GuhaRamachandra Guhaborn 1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  47. 47Rahul SankrityayanRahul Sankrityayan1893–1963 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  48. 48Ismat ChughtaiIsmat Chughtai1911–1991 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  49. 49Ramdhari Singh DinkarRamdhari Singh Dinkar1908–1974 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  50. 50Bibhutibhushan BandyopadhyayBibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay1894–1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  51. 51Pingali VenkayyaPingali Venkayya1876–1963 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  52. 52M. S. GolwalkarM. S. Golwalkar1906–1973 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Vaikom Muhammad BasheerVaikom Muhammad Basheer1908–1994 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Sahir LudhianviSahir Ludhianvi1921–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55SheelaSheelaborn 1942 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  56. 56Anand BakshiAnand Bakshi1930–2002 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  57. 57Rajmohan GandhiRajmohan Gandhiborn 1935 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  58. 58Nadira BabbarNadira Babbarborn 1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  59. 59Krishna HutheesingKrishna Hutheesing1907–1967 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Ibn WarraqIbn Warraqborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Rajiv MalhotraRajiv Malhotraborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  62. 62Bashir BadrBashir Badr1935–2026 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  63. 63Kaifi AzmiKaifi Azmi1919–2002 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Jayachamarajendra WadiyarJayachamarajendra Wadiyar1919–1974 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Banu MushtaqBanu Mushtaqborn 1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Gita MehtaGita Mehta1942–2023 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Raja RaoRaja Rao1908–2006 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Swami RamaSwami Rama1925–1996 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69AsaramAsaramborn 1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  70. 70Arjan SinghArjan Singh1919–2017 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Majrooh SultanpuriMajrooh Sultanpuri1919–2000 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Firaq GorakhpuriFiraq Gorakhpuri1896–1982 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Narendra DabholkarNarendra Dabholkar1945–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Salil ChowdhurySalil Chowdhury1925–1995 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Raghunath MurmuRaghunath Murmu1905–1982 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76Sushmita BanerjeeSushmita Banerjee1964–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Irfan HabibIrfan Habibborn 1931 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Dharamvir BharatiDharamvir Bharati1926–1997 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Nabaneeta Dev SenNabaneeta Dev Sen1938–2019 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Mirza Tahir AhmadMirza Tahir Ahmad1928–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Subhadra Kumari ChauhanSubhadra Kumari Chauhan1904–1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Nirupama RaoNirupama Raoborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Benegal Narsing RauBenegal Narsing Rau1887–1953 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Siddhartha Shankar RaySiddhartha Shankar Ray1920–2010 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Amole GupteAmole Gupteborn 1962 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Ramesh Chandra MajumdarRamesh Chandra Majumdar1888–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87S. L. BhyrappaS. L. Bhyrappa1931–2025 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Sumitranandan PantSumitranandan Pant1900–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Cornelia DorabujiCornelia Dorabuji1866–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Pratibha RayPratibha Rayborn 1943 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91K. Shivaram KaranthK. Shivaram Karanth1902–1997 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Jibanananda DasJibanananda Das1899–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Maithili Sharan GuptMaithili Sharan Gupt1886–1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Jadunath SarkarJadunath Sarkar1870–1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Sita Ram GoelSita Ram Goel1921–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Ashapoorna DeviAshapoorna Devi1909–1995 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'1896–1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Hasrat MohaniHasrat Mohani1875–1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99Kalki KrishnamurthyKalki Krishnamurthy1899–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'1921–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.